Party's over, six pubs in Sahara Mall shut

The protest by villagers turned out to be a weekend spoiler for hundreds of mall-goers who had planned their day out on Saturday.

The protest by villagers turned out to be a weekend spoiler for hundreds of mall-goers who had planned their day out on Saturday.

They were surprised to find the Sahara Mall's doors closed as entry was prohibited.

Residents of Chakkarpur village forced the mall authorities to shut shop to protest the assault of local village youth by pub bouncers on July 30.

Meanwhile, the mall authorities have issued a circular to the pubs, where the bouncers were employed, and disconnected their power and water supply.

"The bouncers created nuisance. In view of the present situation and public demand of immediate closure of pubs located in Sahara Mall, we are taking action. So in public interest, all essential services to pubs are hereby withdrawn with immediate effect till further orders," said JK Gupta, head, Sahara Mall.

He further said that suitable action will be taken in future as per instructions of government authorities concerned.

The six pubs that were closed on Saturday are Ignite, Prison, Last Chance, Oddessy, Blue Eyes and IPSA.

The villagers sealed the pubs with their own locks and chains amid heavy police presence but no official from the excise office was present during the protest.

"My husband and sons were beaten by the bouncers. I want strict action against them. How can they beat up someone so brutally? The police and government have turned a blind eye to the menace. Their inability to take action has allowed such elements to take law in their hands," said Santosh Yadav, mother of Pankaj and Jayant who were assaulted by the bouncers.